Latest news with #HankookIlbo
Pink Villa
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Devil's Plan star Lee Si Won welcomes her first baby after 4 years of marriage
The Devil's plan star Lee Si Won has become a mother for the first time, welcoming a baby girl four years after her marriage. Her agency, KX Entertainment, confirmed the happy news, sharing that both mother and child are healthy and doing well. On May 20, KX Entertainment revealed, 'Lee Si Won gave birth to a daughter at the end of last month.' As per Hankook Ilbo, Lee Si Won expressed her joy over the public's warm response. 'I didn't even know the article had come out, but suddenly people started calling to congratulate me,' she said with a laugh. The couple named their daughter Si Woo, a meaningful choice that combines one syllable from each of their names. Lee Si Won mentioned, 'At first, she looked like me, but she's starting to resemble my husband more and more each day. It's amazing how her face keeps changing.' Lee Si Won reflected on the experience of giving birth with gratitude. 'I just hoped for a healthy delivery, and I'm so grateful everything went smoothly,' she shared. 'She's growing up healthy, and that makes me so happy.' The actress also mentioned how quickly her daughter is developing. 'I've heard that babies these days are developing a little faster. Our daughter is already really responsive and growing well,' she said, noting her baby's strong eye contact and alertness. Although she recently gave birth, Lee Si Won is already thinking about her return to the screen. 'It's been about a month since I gave birth, and I'm starting to feel like myself again,' she said. 'I'm planning to resume activities soon, including commercials and films.' A graduate of Seoul National University, Lee Si Won debuted in 2012 with the drama The Great King's Dream and has since appeared in numerous acclaimed series, including Misaeng, Memories of the Alhambra, Maestra and Netflix's The Devil's Plan. In 2021, she married a fellow Seoul National University alumnus, a doctor. Congratulations, new mama!
Tatler Asia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Baeksang Arts Awards 2025: Winners, history and why it's Korea's most prestigious night
From record-setting wins to red carpet moments, here's your guide to the Baeksang Arts Awards—Korea's most prestigious celebration of film, TV and theatre Each spring, as cherry blossoms fall and filming wraps across the peninsula, Seoul's brightest stars emerge for the Baeksang Arts Awards. It's the crown jewel of Korea's entertainment calendar—where actors, directors, playwrights and idols trade the set for the spotlight, arriving in couture and commanding the red carpet like a runway. A cultural event with the gravitas of the Oscars, the flair of the Emmys, and the fashion spectacle of the Met Gala (with a uniquely Korean twist), the Baeksangs are where household names and breakout talents collide. From emotional speeches and closely watched wins to style statements that spark headlines, this is the night when Korea's entertainment elite—and their fans—hold their breath. Also read: Star-studded K-dramas with next-level casting and unforgettable cameos But the ceremony is more than a glamorous affair. With a legacy that spans nearly six decades, the Baeksang Arts Awards are a celebration of creative excellence, cultural influence and artistic achievement across film, television and theatre. Whether you're a seasoned K-entertainment fan or a curious newcomer, here's what you need to know—from its storied history and record-setting winners to the behind-the-scenes moments that have defined the event. Above 'Deaf Sam-yong' is the first film to be awarded at the Baeksang Arts Awards (Photo: IMDB) First held in 1965, the Baeksang Arts Awards were established by Chang Key-young, founder of the Korean newspaper Hankook Ilbo, to honour outstanding contributions to popular culture. The name 'Baeksang' comes from Chang's pen name, meaning 'white elephant'—a symbol of wisdom, strength and distinction. Over the decades, the ceremony has grown in stature, expanding its categories and moving from intimate venues to high-profile stages like COEX in Seoul. In 2019, the iconic trophy was redesigned as a tribute to the 'Creative Human,' reflecting the evolving landscape of Korean storytelling and performance. Today, the Baeksangs are considered one of Korea's most prestigious awards, recognising excellence not only in film and television, but also in theatre—an inclusion that underscores the awards' deep respect for the full spectrum of performing arts. How are the winners chosen? Above Lee Byung-hun is one of the most awarded actors (Photo: IMDB) What sets the Baeksangs apart is their rigorous judging process. A panel of 60 respected industry professionals across film, television and theatre reviews all eligible works released between April 1 of the previous year and March 31 of the current year. The goal: to honour creative merit and cultural impact over popularity or commercial success. The Grand Prize, or Daesang, was introduced in 1974 and remains the most coveted accolade. Unlike other categories, Daesang nominees are not disclosed publicly in advance, adding a layer of anticipation to the event. There are 31 categories in total, including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting roles, Best Director, Best Screenplay and the two Daesang awards for film and television. Record holders and notable wins The first Baeksang Arts Awards in 1965 were modest in scale, with few categories. Deaf Sam-yong (1964) won Best Film, while its director Shin Sang-ok and lead actor Kim Jin-kyu were honoured for their roles. Acting awards for women were introduced a year later, and television and theatre categories followed about a decade after the debut ceremony. Legendary actress Kim Hye-ja holds the record for the most Grand Prize (Daesang) wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards, with four accolades spanning from 1979 to 2019. Her illustrious career includes standout performances in both television and film. Meanwhile, actor Lee Byun-hun has the most wins for a male actor. He has seven Best Actor accolades across film and television and a total of 17 nominations. He's also nominated for the 2025 edition for his performance in the movie The Match . As for projects, the 2024 film Exhuma was nominated eight times and won four; meanwhile, 2019's When the Camellia Blooms received nine nominations, winning four. The 2020 edition was held without a live audience due to COVID-19 restrictions, but it still delivered memorable moments. That year, Bong Joon-ho received the Grand Prize for Parasite , even as he missed out on the Best Director award. The film also won Best Film, further cementing its global and domestic legacy. See more: Bong Joon-Ho confirms 2 sequels to his Oscar-winning movie, 'Parasite'
Korea Herald
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Seoul denies reports of US request for military commitment against China
Korea's Defense Ministry on Wednesday dismissed local media reports alleging the United States had requested that Seoul clarify its role and commitment in potential military conflict in the Indo-Pacific region involving China. In a statement sent to the press in Seoul, the ministry said no such inquiry had been made, responding to an article published earlier in the day by local daily Hankook Ilbo. The newspaper, citing multiple diplomatic and military sources, reported that Washington had recently inquired about Seoul's position regarding support for US operations in the Indo-Pacific region, including potential military maintenance and logistics assistance. The reports come amid growing speculation that Washington may seek broader support from its Indo-Pacific allies, including South Korea, as it sharpens its focus on countering China's military expansion. It also suggested that the inquiry had come around the time US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth began his Asia tour in late March — his first visit to the region since taking office — which included stops in the Philippines and Japan, but not South Korea. During his visit to the Philippines, Hegseth underscored the need for stronger regional deterrence, naming the Philippines, Japan, Australia and South Korea as key partners in efforts to prevent armed conflict and deter Chinese aggression in the region. "Our staff and both of us are going to remain actively engaged. It reflects the strength of our ironclad alliance, particularly in the face of communist China's aggression in the region," Hegseth said during a press briefing after talks with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro in Manila on Friday. 'Today, it's the Philippines. Tomorrow, it's Japan. It will be Australia and South Korea and other nations in this part of the world, where together ... we will establish the deterrence necessary to prevent war,' he added. Despite Seoul being excluded from Hegseth's itinerary, his remarks have fueled debate in South Korea over whether Washington is now looking to its allies to take on broader roles beyond the traditional focus on North Korean threats. Meanwhile, Seoul's Defense Ministry reiterated that the alliance remains centered on the Korean Peninsula. 'The alliance has contributed to peace and stability in the region by deterring war on the Korean Peninsula,' the ministry said. 'We will continue to develop the alliance in that direction through close cooperation with the United States.'
South China Morning Post
20-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
South Korean first lady blasted security for not firing guns during Yoon's arrest
South Korean first lady Kim Keon-hee expressed strong anger towards the Presidential Security Service (PSS) after suspended president Yoon Suk-yeol was arrested earlier this year, demanding to know why agents 'didn't fire' during the arrest. Advertisement Police are now considering her remarks as key evidence suggesting an intention to obstruct law enforcement's execution of a detention warrant by force. According to multiple sources the Hankook Ilbo contacted, these statements were included in the warrant request submitted to the Seoul Western District Prosecutors' Office for Kim Sung-hoon, deputy chief of the PSS, and Lee Kwang-woo, chief of the service's bodyguard division. Prosecutors reviewed additional evidence submitted by police before filing the request. Kim Keon-hee reportedly visited the family protection desk within the Hannam-dong presidential residence in Seoul on January 15, shortly after Yoon's arrest , and became visibly angry. She criticised the security officers for not preventing the execution of the warrant, saying, 'I'm disappointed in the security service. Guns are meant to be used for this. What were you doing not firing them?' Advertisement She also reportedly said: 'Honestly, I feel like shooting (Democratic Party of Korea leader) Lee Jae-myung and taking my own life.'
South China Morning Post
02-03-2025
- South China Morning Post
Unmasking ‘Captain America' man who tried to raid Chinese embassy in Seoul
Dressed as the Marvel character 'Captain America,' a 42-year-old South Korean man identified as Ahn was arrested on February 22 for attempting to break into the Chinese embassy and a police station in Seoul. Advertisement He was later found to have fabricated his identity. A person, identified as 'A,' who lived with Ahn for years in a shared community, reflected on Ahn's former behaviour during a recent interview with the Hankook Ilbo, saying, 'He had been wearing US military uniforms for a long time, and he even carried around a replica rifle.' Before his arrest, Ahn had claimed to be a CIA black operative and a former US military reservist. However, police investigations revealed that he was a former army sergeant without any US entry records. On Friday, the Seoul Namdaemun police station sent Ahn to the prosecutor's office on charges including attempted breaking and entering, insult, and forgery of documents. It was also revealed that he had been in possession of a fake US military ID. Advertisement A said that Ahn had a strong desire to draw attention to himself, even through lies. Ahn had left traces of his falsehoods in many areas.
